Chris Lee took on the task of leading the Tearfund 2015 Cycling Pilgrimage to Paris. This was a group of mixed ability cyclists riding from Dieppe to Paris in November 2015 in the run-up to the COP21 climate talks. Chris got fully involved in the route planning and logistics and he successfully sorted ferry tickets, hotel accommodation and repatriation of bikes via Eurostar.

A week before the ride, the terrorist attack on the Bataclan Club resulted in Tearfund withdrawing its official sponsorship – and leaving us without a support vehicle. As the majority of those signed up wanted to continue with the project, Chris volunteered to lead us anyway – getting us all safely to Paris on a memorably enjoyable, if chilly, ride without major mishap (or the need for a van).

His considerable cycle-touring experience, quiet good humour and readiness to adapt the pace to the needs of a mixed group make him an ideal ride leader for cyclists of any ability.